Gurgaon: MCG on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) to implement a heat-resilient city project aimed at tackling rising temperatures, urban heat island effects and climate-related risks.Gurgaon is among 12 cities selected under the ministry of housing and urban affairs’ Heat Resilient Cities initiative, under which each city is eligible for financial assistance of up to Rs 5 crore to implement locally tailored heat adaptation measures.The project, to be carried out over 15 months, will involve identifying heat hotspots, mapping vulnerable populations and conducting urban heat island assessments. Based on this data, MCG will prepare a comprehensive city heat resilience action plan — including detailed project reports, budgets and implementation schedules — that will guide policymaking and future development plans. NIUA will provide technical, planning and monitoring support throughout.Pilot interventions may include expanding green spaces, water conservation measures, shaded public infrastructure, cool-roof technologies and climate-sensitive urban planning. MCG will also nominate a nodal officer, facilitate inter-departmental coordination and identify priority intervention areas based on vulnerability and heat exposure. The civic body will collaborate with educational institutions, research organisations, NGOs and citizen groups to develop community-based solutions tailored to local needs.“This initiative will play an important role in making the city more capable of dealing with the impacts of climate change and improving the standard of living of citizens. Through scientific data, modern technology and public participation, we will work towards reducing the impact of heat and promoting sustainable development,” said MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya.MCG will submit progress reports, impact assessments and utilisation certificates to NIUA and MoHUA periodically. A scientific evaluation of the project’s impact will also be conducted, with the aim of replicating the model in other cities.The MoU was signed in the presence of Dahiya, additional municipal commissioner Ravinder Yadav, NIUA representative Anshul Abbasi and KPMG representative Samarth.
